Building panel



Jan. 7, 1969 M. A. CREVEUNG 3,420,027

BUILDING PANEL Filed Feb. 9, 1967 United States Patent O 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A building panel which is formed to'ena'ble simple assembly of a reinforced joint between adjolning panels and which enables uses of the connecting facilities as supporting columns when positioned vertically. The panels simulate normal wood siding construction, enable use of thln sheet material, and permit easy handling of long panels.

The present invention is directed to new and useful improvements in building panels and is particularly concerned with improvements which enable economic fabrication and simplified assembly of courses of such panels.

The major purposes of the present invention are to so form building panels that plural panels may easily be connected together by simple sliding movement of adjoining panels, to form panels in such a Way that they simulate natural wood siding or other exterior walls used in building constructions, all while forming the panels in such a Way that the connections between adjoining panels provide supporting columns for a plurality of panels or reinforcing for panels.

A related purpose of the present invention is to so form prefabricated building panels that they may be manufactured easily from sheet metal employing bending or rolling processes or may be formed from materials suitable for extrusion or injection molding of relatively thin sheet forms.

These and other purposes of the invention will become more apparent in the course of the ensuing specification and claims, when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of plural panels incorporating the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of panels incorporating the principles of the invention while illustrating variations in form of the panel illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of connected panels of the type illustrated in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a connecting element which may be utilized with the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 3;

Like elements are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

'With particular reference now to the drawings, and in the first instance to FIGURE l, a wall is shown as defined by a plurality of adjoining panels with the wall surfaces being flush and essentially uninterrupted in appearance while the wall proper is defined by a single thickness of sheet material used in the formation of the panels. In FIGURE 1, for example, adjoining panels 21 are illustrated with spaced, hollow, and essentially square column-like structures 23 and hook-like portions 34 and 35. The column-like element is defined by two opposite walls 26 and 28 and two opposite walls 25 and 27. Wall 26 "defines the end face of the panel and wall 28 is generally parallel thereto. Wall 27 connects walls 26 and 28 while wall 25 ex-tends toward wall 26 from wall 28. Wall 25 is spaced from the main expanse of the panel by the approximate thickness of ange 35 and is spaced from wall 26 by a similar distance.

In FIGURE 1, the column defining structure 23 is at one side edge of each panel while a flange portion 35 3,420,027 Patented Jan. 7, 1969 ice with its connecting span 34 extending at right angles thereto is spaced inwardly from the other side edge of the panel thereby providing a panel surface or panel extension 38 having a lengh corresponding to the length of the remaining panel section but extended laterally to one side of the angularly extending span 34. The column defining structure 23 is defined at the end of an offset portion of the main expanse of the sheet material for the panel 21 as typified at 39 which extends from a portion 40 extending at right angles to the main panel expanse 21 and formed integrally therewith. Portion 39 is generally parallel to the main outer surface of the panel portion 21a. The column structure 23 is formed at the side of the portion 39 in such wise that the inner wall 28 thereof is spaced from the portion 40 by a distance slightly greater than the width of the connecting flange or tonguelike portion 35 so that adjoining panels may be assembled in the fashion illustrated. Portion 40 has a Width equivalent to the width of portion 34.

The extension 38 has a width slightly in excess of the distance between the portion 40 and the opposed side 28 of the column so that the extreme edge thereof overlies the main expanse of the adjoining panel. This extreme edge may be seated in a recess 41 formed in the main panel expanse adjacent to the angular portion 40 so that the two connected and adjoining panels 21 have surfaces in the same plane. After assembly of the panels as in FIGURE 1, the recess 41 tends to prevent a separating movement of the panels. A molding strip 42 may be utilized to cover the small crack between the overlapping portions of the panels.

It should be noted that the column element 23 is spaced from one surface of the panel while flange 35 is spaced from the opposite surface. Flange 35 is spaced by the approximate thickness of the column element 23 so as to create a frictional engagement when received between the column element and the panel surface. The panels of FIGURE l may be made of any desired length and width. The column elements provide good stiffness for the panels.

In FIGURE 2 a modified form of the panel is shown while using the characteristic offset in the panel as illustrated at 40 in FIGURE 1, but while being so formed as to simulate normal overlapping Wood siding either positioned horizontally or vertically. In FIGURE 2, for example, the sheet material defining the panel is generally designated at 50. One end of the sheet material is bent to form an essentially square column defining element as defined by the walls 51, 52, 53 and 54. The end of the sheet is represented by the side 54 of the column defining element. This side 54 is spaced from the main body of the panel so as to provide a slot 55 between the side 54 and the main surface of the sheet 50. The main sheet of the panel 50 is also bent intermediate its ends as at 56 and 57 to provide a more or less Z-shaped bend intermediate the panel and with an offset connecting portion 58. The offset 58 and the bends 56 and 57 are so positioned as to divide the overall panel into two sections 59 and 60 of areas that simulate one another, It is preferred that the end side 51 of the column be at approximately to the section 59, while side 52 extends at approximately 90 from side 51 and side 53 extends at approximately 90 from side 52. Side 54 is at an angle to side 53 on the order of 95 to 120. The angles between the sections 59 and 60 and the connecting span 58 are on the order of 55 to 85 (depending upon the width Iof the column element and other dimensions of the panel) and are such that the bend between section 60 and the span 58 is in subsantially the same plane as the flange 62 and the bend between column side 51 and section 59. Side 54 is bent on an angle so that the width of the slot 55 diminishes from the entrance to the slot to the inner extremities thereof. The end of the sheet 50 opposite to the column end of the panel is bent inwardly as at 61 and then back toward the opposite end of the panel, as at 62, providing a tongue or fiange which will be receivable within a slot 55 of a similar and adjoining panel.

The panels are easily assembled by simple sliding movement ofk adjoining panels in directions transverse to to the extension of the column elements in such wise that the flange 62 of one element is received within the opening or slot 55 of an adjoining panel as appears in FIG- URE 3. The surfaces 59 and 60 extend generally parallel to one another and the edge portions 56 extend outwardly from the face of a building provided with such panels and in effect create the appearance of wood siding, which may either be applied horizontally, as is illustrated in FIGURE 3, or may be positioned to extend vertically simply by extending the column defining elements of each panel vertically instead of horizontally as shown in FIG- URE 3. The panels may be assembled as illustrated in FIGURE 3 by positioning the flange end 62 of one panel generally horizontally and then fixing it to a backing wall or studding as by a suitable bracket 63. The next uppermost panel is then fixed in position by slipping the flange end of the panel over the column element of the lowermost panel and with the fiange 62 received within the opening or slot 55 of the lower panel. Any number of panel sections may thus be superposed and interconnected. The uppermost panel may then be fixed to the wall backing or studding structure by means of the bracket or brackets 64. Bracket 64, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, is shaped to receive the column defining elements of each panel and with a fiange 65 adapted to be received Within the slot 55 of each panel.

By reason of the angularity of the side 54 of the column defining elements, a frictional engagement is created with the tongue or flange of an adjoining panel. When the tongue orflange is inserted within the recess, the tongue is forced to fiex toward the surface of the section 59 creating a good frictional engagement between the tongue 62 and the walls of the panel defining the slot 55.

The particular formation of the panels also enables formation of a corner between adjoining panels simply by inserting the tongue, 62 of one panel in the space between the end defining side 51 of the column element and the side 54 and 53 so that the main surface of the section 60 overlaps the side 53 of the column defining element relatively closely.

The panels of FIGURE l may be assembled in a similar fashion to that described for the panels of FIGURE 2.

When forming a corner joint with the panel illustrated in FIGURE 1, the end section 38 may simply be trimmed away to allow formation of the corner in the same manner as that found with the panel illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Panels may be made up in accordance with the showing in FIGURES 2 and 3 of any desired length and width. They may be broken at appropriate intervals as at 57 so as to simulate any number of pieces of siding between the column elements and the fiange ends of the panels. In lieu of having a plurality of sections as illustrated at 59 and 60 in FIGURE 2, panels may be made up to have the same simulating effect simply by forming the fiange at the bend 57 so that the resultant panel has a dimension between the column end of the panel and the fiange and corresponding to the dimension between the column end illustrated in FIGURE 2 and the surface 58 in FIGURE 2.

Panels as described herein may be made from fiat sheet metal stock through use of cold rolling, braking or other bending processes. The panels may also be made from material which enables use of an extrusion or injection molding process such as poly-vinyl chloride. The panels of FIGURE 1 are more adaptable to a molding process. The surfaces of the panels may be given various decorative finishes as is indicated by the molding like portions 4 49 in FIGURE l. When the panels are made of sheet metal, ribs may be added in various forms for decorative and reinforcing purposes.

Panels as defined herein may be used as temporary partitions or wall structures simply by standing-a group of panels with the columns in upright fashion with the panels connected in the manner aforesaid. The frictional engagement between the tongues or flanges and the column elements of the panels enhances such free-standing movement. To increase the friction engagement, the flanges 35 and 62 and/or the surfaces of sides 25 and 54 of the column elements may be roughened, as by knurling. When the panels are fixed to some backing structure such as a solid wall or wood studding, they may be easily fixed thereto by simply passing nails, screws or the like into the reinforcing structure, or may be fixed thereto through means of brackets 63 and 64 illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The hollow opening within the column elements may be filled with some appropriate reinforcing material if it is desired. The particular shape defined by the column elements at the ends of the panels provides a great reinforcing effect for the panels when either positioned horizontally or vertically. The reinforcing effect minimizes whip in extremely long panels. For example, panels using the principles of the invention and formed from .010 to .040 inch sheet metal stock may be made in lengths of twenty feet and widths of approximately one and one-half foot and still be handled and assembled easily by one man because of the minimization of whip (or bending) due to the use of the column elements.

The particular offset or reverse bend to the panel between the column and the tongue or flange of each panel enables use of panels to simulate normal siding materials while still enabling a firm and stout connection between adjoining panels. For example, the panels of FIGURE 1 may be utilized to form what appears to be an essentially fiush wall with reinforcing vertically extending column elements or horizontally extending column or reinforcing members. The particular shape of the main surface of the panel with relation to the column element and the flange element enables simulation of normal siding materials which are customarily used with building constructions. After assembly, 4the hollow spaces between the panels and any supporting structure may be filled with insulation.

Panels incorporating the principles of the invention may be used without using nails or screws passed through the panel surfaces. When it is desired to use nails or screws for purposes of fastening panels to frame members, they may be passed into or through the panels at areas where the column elements overlie and conceal such fasteners. In either case, the exterior appearance of the siding is not broken by the punctures caused by nails or screws. When the nails or screws are hidden by the overlying column elements, they are protected from weathering effects.

In both embodiments, the panels are easily assembled through simple sliding movement of the flange of one panel into the slot or opening in the column element of an adjoining panel until they are secure.

Whereas I have shown and described operative forms of the invention, it should be understood that this showing and description thereof should be taken in an illustrative or diagrammatic sense only. There are many modifications in and to the invention which will fall within the scope and spirit thereof which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention should be limited therefore only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

I. A building panel formed of sheet material having one end thereof shaped to define a hollow, essentially square, elongated column like element, said column like element being spaced from one surface of said material, the other end of said panel being shaped to define a hook like construction with a fiange spaced from said material and extending toward said column like element, the material between said column like element and said hook like construction being shaped so that said flange is spaced from the opposite surface of said sheet material,- said column defining element having a dimension, taken transversely of said material, greater than lthe thickness of said material, said flange having essentially the same thickness as the body of said sheet material and being spaced from said surface by approximately the said dimension of said column like element, said column defining element having one side thereof defining one end surface of said panel and another side at the extreme end of said material extending toward said iirst named side, said other side being spaced from said one surface to dene an opening therebetween, said other side being inclined with respect to said one surface to provide a tapered opening diminishing in width toward said one side to thereby provide a resilient frictional engagement with a flange of an adjoining panel.

2. A building panel formed of sheet material having one end thereof shaped to dene a hollow, essentially square, elongated column like element, said column like element being spaced from one surface of said material, the other end of said panel being shaped to dene a hook like construction with a flange spaced from said material and extending toward said column like element, the material between said column like element and said hook like construction being shaped so that said flange is spaced from the opposite surface of said sheet material, said column defining element having a dimension, taken transversely of said material, greater than the thickness of said material, said flange having essentially the same thickness as the body of said shet material and l'being spaced from said surface by approximately the said dimension of said column like element, said material being extended beyond said hook like element, said panel having generally parallel offset portions between said column like element and said hook like element with a connecting span extending between said offset portions and transversely to said surfaces, said material being extended by approximately the spacing of said connecting span from said column like element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,508,871 9/1924 Bloedow 52-542 X 1,959,880 5/1934 Sims 52-588 X 2,522,097 9/1950 Cookson 287--l89.36 2,578,614 12/1951 Sylvan 52-493 3,234,700 2/ 1966 Creveling 52--630 X HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

PRICE C. FAW, JR., Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

